Tag: sephora

I enjoy using face masks 1-2 times per week to supplement my skin care routine. GlamGlow’s Super Mud Clearing Treatment is a mask that is fully effective for clearing my pores and minimizing breakouts. I initially received a sample of the product, but later returned to Sephora for a larger container.

The Packaging

This mask comes in a starry, white and silver jar. The reflective surface is fun and aesthetically-pleasing. It features the GlamGlow logo and a description of the jar’s contents.

The Mask

I love how this mask works! When first applied to the face, it is sticky and retains the texture of a charcoal mask. As it dries, the texture changes to a clay. It does not fully transform into a clay texture – any black patches that remain are areas where the mask works to clear excess oil!

How to use it

I gently clean my skin before I apply the mask. I apply it to moist skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. An important thing to note about this mask is that if you have sensitive skin, your skin may appear quite red after the mask is initially rinsed. My skin appeared red and blotchy for a few moments after I rinsed the mask, but it quickly calmed to leave my skin soft and clear!

GlamGlow’s SuperMud Clearing Treatment is a great product if you’re looking for a mask to clear and soothe acne. I incorporated it into my weekly routine about 1-2 months ago and noticed results within the first week of use.

This mask retails for $69 at Sephora. It is also available in a travel-sized container for $24.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Palette is a dream for lipstick lovers. I bought this palette after searching a specific red lipstick that I envisioned, but could not find in an actual lipstick. This 18-well palette contains a mixture of primary and secondary colors to create your own lip colors.

The Packaging

The packaging is simple and clean. The palette itself features wells that each of the lip colors lay in. It is encased in hard plastic with a transparent cover. A bonus of this palette is that it includes a spatula/brush combination to apply lip color. The palette also includes a metallic plate to mix colors onto.

What is it?

This product is a palette that contains a combination of 18 lip colors. It contains 6 primary shades and 12 secondary shades. Each primary shade serves a specific function when mixing it to other shades in the palette:

Outside of those primary colors, the palette contains a selection of secondary colours. These shades are not named, but instead, numbered:

#1: Peachy-pink

#2: Red oak brown

#3: Burnt orange

#4: Sandy brown

#5: Muted berry

#6: Mahogany brown

#7: Vibrant coral with red undertones

#8: Warm brown

#9: Bright purple

#10: Deep berry

#11: Tan

#12: Bright pink

#13: Blackened berry

Here are three looks I created using the lip palette:

The Verdict

Each lipstick has a creamy texture with a satin finish. They settle into a semi-matte finish once dried onto the lips but are not overly drying. The shades are pigmented and easy to work with. Because of the semi-matte texture, lip color will not be transfer-proof. This is a great product to add into your collection if love lipstick and wish to create a variety of colors. However, this product is not easy to transport, making mid-day touchups difficult. Overall, it is the perfect palette to use as a creative outlet for lipstick!

During the Sephora V.I.B. Sale I picked up a new mini lipstick set from Too Faced Cosmetics. This collection features 4 liquid lipsticks, each sampling the brand’s different formulas. I’ve only tried the Melted Matte formula, so I was excited to test other formulas in the lipstick collection!

The Packaging

This set is part of Too Faced Cosmetics Holiday 2017 Collection. The four lipsticks are encased in sparkly, pink plastic. Each lipstick shade is visible through a small panel in the outer case. This is a fun package that reminds me of Christmastime. The Melted Matte and Melted formulas each have different types of tubes, so I will discuss both of them: The Melted Matte lipstick come in a clear glass tube that displays the lipstick colour within. It has a doe foot applicator to comfortably coat the lips with colour. Each Melted lipstick comes in a triangular tube with a soft applicator that is attached to the tube. Both applicators are soft and coat the lips evenly.

The Colours

I love the diverse shade choices in this collection. The selection of nude, deep red, and pink shades make it easy coordinate the colours to my outfits. The four shades included in the set are:

Chihuahua -Dusty mauve

Chocolate Honey – Light brown-nude

Hopeless Romantic – Nude with a hint of pink

Drop Dead Red – Deep mulberry-wine

The Wear

Both the shades Chihuahua and Chocolate Honey are satin finishes. They do not wear for a long time on the lips, but they are soft, smooth, and non-drying. The shade Drop Dead Red dries into the lips with a burst of colour. (As a note, I wrote this shade last week and it left my lips with a muted red undertone. It stayed on my lips for about 7-8 hours). The shade Hopeless Romantic wears for 4-5 hours without fading.

This is a fun lipstick set to gift someone as a stocking stuffer. If you are interested in trying a selection of Too Faced lipsticks, I also recommend this set!

Too Faced Under the Kissletoe liquid lipstick set retails for $32 at Sephora.

It all started when my dog, Bear, ate my favourite blush compact. I glanced at the email advertising the Sephora V.I.B. Sale but did not take particular notice to it because I had nothing to buy. The following morning, my beloved NARS blush fell to the floor and was quickly destroyed. Bear ate the compact’s contents before I cleaned them up. Off to Sephora I headed.

My main purchase was a new blush, but I did select additional items while I browsed. Here is a peek into my VIB Sale Haul:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio

This blush compact features 3 gorgeous pink-toned colours. My biggest concern when buying blush is finding colours that compliment my pale skin. The three shades in this compact deliver delicate pink tones. I normally skip very pink blush colours, but I decided to try them with this compact. The compact I bought the compact called Pool Party. This collection offers a mixture of coral, bright pink, and tan shades.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation

Finding a product that doubles as a concealer and foundation is a dream come true. This foundation is formatted as a stick, which makes it easy to apply to the face. I wore it as my foundation and concealer yesterday and it delivered a comfortable, full-coverage finish. It dried matte but not cakey on my skin. I bought this foundation in the shade Porcelain. This shade is suited for fair skin with cool undertones.

Too Faced Under the Kissletoe Liquified Lipstick Set

I was not initially a fan of Too Faced Liquid Lipstick formula. That being said, I decided to test out a few different formulas in the range. The Under the Kissletoe set is part of their holiday collection. The colours in the set range from a deep burgundy to a glossy nude. This fun set contains 4 lipsticks:

With winter approaching, I like rotating a new moisturizer in my skincare routine. I received a sample of Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate during a trip to Sephora. This moisturizer is hydrating and soothing on my skin. The unique formula immediately added a boost of hydration to my face.

The Packaging

I’ve always been a fan of Clinique’s tidy, sophisticated packaging. That quality shines through with this product. The moisturizer itself comes in a cylindrical, sleek tube. It is clear to show the fun pink-colored gel inside. My favourite aspect of the package is the pump-dispenser. It is an ideal format for releasing a small amount of product without creating a mess.

The Product

This product is a water gel that delivers a boost of moisture to the skin. I sometimes hesitate to use water gel formulas, but this one suits my dry skin. It has a smooth texture that cools once it touches my face, similar to a serum. The lightweight gel doesn’t add heaviness to my skin and feels rather light once it dries. An added bonus of this product is that it is fragrance-free. If you have sensitive skin like I do, fragrance can be an irritant.

How to use it

I cleanse my skin before applying the product. It is ideal for morning or night use, depending on your skincare routine. I dot a small amount on my skin and gently massage it in. Due to the hydration it contains, you only need to use a little product to refresh your entire face.

Clinique Moisture Surge Supercharged Concentrate retails for $17 (for the smaller size) or the full-size is $46 at Sephora.

I am consistently searching for new brands of liquid lipstick to test. I received samples of Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick and I was intrigued to find out how the brand’s first liquid lipstick formula stacked up to other formulas I adore. Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in a range of beautiful colours. The shades I received in the sampler drew me in.

The Packaging

The full-sized lipsticks come in sleek, elegant packages. The lipstick container is matte black with a transparent panel that reveals the colour within. I enjoy the square, blunt shape of the lipstick container because it is sturdy. This lipstick features a doe-foot applicator to precisely line the lips.

The Formula

Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in three different finishes: Matte, metallic, and satin. I’ve tried both the matte and satin finishes. Both lipstick formulas are smooth, non-drying, and transfer-resistant. The formula is highly-pigmented. Once applied to the lips, the colour dries down completely and is lightweight.

The Colours

I’ve tried samples of four shades in the collection:

999 – Matte red

Hectic – Matte deep purple

Fury – Matte rosewood

Fab – Satin oxblood-red

Each colour I’ve tested is pigmented and opaque. The matte shades lasted longer on my lips than the satin shade. There are 25 other shades in the collection:

Reckless – Matte orangey-beige

Crush – Matte hot pink

Impulsive – Matte coral pink

Shock – Matte magenta

Hypnotic – Matte dark pink

Chic – Matte beige

Savage – Matte raspberry-pink

Lively – Matte dusty pink

Jungle – Matte light brown

Mysterious – Matte brownish-pink

Dressed To – Matte reddish-brown

Black – Matte black

Delicate – Satin light brown

Frenetic – Satin raspberry pink

Impetious – Satin pink

Versatile – Satin strawberry-red

Miss – Satin pink-coral

Fab – Satin reddish-black with shimmer

Rock ‘n’ Metal – Metallic rusty red

Spicy – Metallic hot pink

Scandalous – Metallic brown

Poison Metal – Metallic red-plum

Hologram – Metallic silver

Vibrant – Metallic rose-gold

The Wear

Both the satin and matte shades wear comfortably on the lips. Once I apply the shade to my lips, they wear for 4-5 hours without fading. One aspect I adore about these lipsticks is that I only require one swipe of the lipstick to achieve full-coverage. The colour doesn’t bleed on my lips, but it does transfer while eating or drinking.

These lipsticks are perfect if you are looking for a comfortable, long-wearing lipstick. The metallic finishes are beautiful and richly pigmented. Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick retails for $43 on Sephora’s website.

Micellar cleansing water helps draw dirt and impurities from the skin while gently cleansing it. I bought a bottle of Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water to substitute my regular makeup remover. I use it mainly for that purpose, but was pleasantly surprised with it’s other benefits!

The Packaging

The product comes in a large, transparent bottle that is lightweight. The cap features a push-top with a hole for dispensing the product. One thing to note about the cap is that it is easy to spill excess cleanser unless it is tightly closed. Despite the size of the bottle, it is easy to transport when I am on-the-go. The product features the Sephora logo, and is simple and clean.

The Product

The first thing I notice when I opened this product was the fresh, grassy scent. This light fragrance is refreshing to use at the end of each day. I dispense the cleanser onto a cotton ball to remove makeup. While it does not remove all my makeup in one swipe, it does effectively remove it well. Once my makeup is removed my skin feels refreshed and lightly hydrated. My skin is sensitive and I was initially hesitant to use the product because some makeup removers tend to cause irritation on my skin. After 1-2 uses of this cleansing water, I did not experience any breakouts.

The Benefits

Like the name suggests, this cleansing water deliver specific benefits:

Cleanses the skin to remove makeup, oil and impurities

Formulated with Hydrosenn+, a natural ingredient that hydrates the skin

How to use it

Open the lid and dispense the product onto a cotton ball or tissue. Gently wipe your face, eyes, and lips to remove makeup. This requires no rinsing.

This product works well as a gentle, effective makeup remover. I like to supplement with my regular makeup-remover wipes to give my skin a refreshing cleanse.